DOL License Suspensions

DOL License Suspension Lawyer in Everett, WA

The Deadline You Cannot Afford to Miss

If you have been arrested for DUI in Everett or anywhere in Snohomish County, you are facing two separate legal battles: a criminal case in court and a civil administrative hearing with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).

The DOL action is often the most urgent, as your driver’s license is subject to automatic suspension 30 days after your arrest unless you act immediately.

Learn how we can help in a free in-office or virtual consultation with an Everett DOL license suspension attorney. Call (425) 321-3487 or reach us online. Our team speaks Russian and Ukrainian. Available 24/7.

The Critical Seven-Day Deadline

The most critical fact following a DUI arrest is the deadline to save your driving privileges:

You have only seven calendar days from the date of your arrest to file a formal request for a DOL Administrative Hearing.

If you miss this deadline, your right to contest the license suspension is waived, and the suspension will begin automatically, even if the criminal court later dismisses your DUI charge.

Put a Proven Trial Attorney on Your Side

Whether you’re facing serious criminal charges or recovering from an injury, you deserve an attorney who’s prepared to take your case all the way to trial. Get strategic, dedicated representation from a team that fights for your future.

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How Our Firm Can Help You Beat the Suspension

The window between arrest and the seven-day deadline is incredibly short, but it is the most crucial time for defense. Our firm’s strategic intervention at this stage may save your license and gather key evidence for your criminal case.

Timely & Proper Filing

We take immediate action to:

File the request. Your hearing request form and the mandatory fee (or indigency waiver) are correctly submitted and postmarked within the seven-day window.
Protecting driving privileges. By filing the request, we legally toll (pause) the suspension, allowing you to continue lawfully driving until the hearing officer issues a written decision (which can take weeks or months).

Strategic Defense at the Hearing

Though the odds are tough, the DOL hearing offers the first opportunity to challenge the police's evidence on the record:

Challenging probable cause. We use our investigative experience to challenge the basis for the traffic stop and the legality of the arrest.
Attacking procedures. We scrutinize police reports and machine documentation to find flaws in the administration of field sobriety tests (FSTs) or the breath/blood testing procedures.
Cross-examination. We can subpoena the arresting officer and cross-examine them, locking in their testimony for use later in your criminal court case.

Understanding the DOL Process

The DOL hearing is entirely separate from your criminal case, governed by civil administrative rules, and focuses on four specific issues the DOL must prove:

Reasonable grounds. Did the officer have reasonable grounds to believe you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
Lawful arrest. Were you lawfully arrested or placed in actual physical control of a vehicle?
Implied consent. Were you properly advised of your implied consent warnings (regarding the consequences of submitting to or refusing a test)?
Test results/refusal. Did your breath or blood test show a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher (or 0.05 ng/mL of THC or higher for marijuana DUI), OR did you refuse to submit to a chemical test?

The hearing, typically conducted over the phone by a DOL hearing officer (not a judge), hinges entirely on the evidence presented by the arresting officer's report.

Potential Outcomes & Penalties

If the hearing officer rules in your favor, the license suspension is canceled. If the hearing officer rules against you, your license will be suspended or revoked, depending on your offense history.

Ruling Against You (Suspension/Revocation)

First offense:

90-day suspension if you submitted to the test with a BAC of 0.08% or THC of 5.00 ng/ml or higher
One-year revocation if you refused the chemical test or had a high BAC/THC (greater than 0.15% BAC or greater than 5.00 ng/ml THC)

Second offense (within seven years):

Two-year revocation (if test submitted)
900-day or three-year revocation (if test refused or high BAC/THC)

Third offense (within seven years):

Three-year revocation (if test submitted)
Four-year revocation (if test refused or high BAC/THC)

Scott was very helpful in my DUI case.
“He is very knowledgeable in the DUI field and was able to guide me throughout the process. My case did go to trial as the public prosecutor was not giving any good negotiation. Scott analyzed the case and told me to take it to trial.”

- Former Client
Scott goes the extra mile when representing his clients.
“We appreciate his rapid responses to our questions, and the peace of mind knowing we had his experience on our side.”

- Elizabeth
His expertise, professionalism, and attention to detail are second to none.
“Not only did he win my trial, but his knowledge of the details and his negotiation skills were instrumental in achieving a successful outcome. He was able to navigate the complex legal system with ease and always had my best interests in mind.”

- Former Client
Brilliant criminal defense lawyer.
“As an experienced attorney, Scott worked diligently to present the facts of the case and ended up winning the case at trial. We would recommend Scott Lawrence, Attorney at Law, to anyone facing criminal charges.”

- Former Client
I highly recommend.
“I am incredibly grateful to Snohomish Law for their dedication and expertise in resolving my case. They were professional, compassionate, and kept me informed throughout the process.”

- Justin K.

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Immediate Driving Relief

Even if the suspension is upheld, we can immediately guide you through the process of applying for an ignition interlock device license (IIL), which allows you to drive legally during the suspension period after installing an IID.

Consult Our Everett DOL License Suspension Attorney Today

The DOL process is separate from the criminal case, but the evidence gathered and arguments made at the hearing are often used to build your criminal defense strategy. Our firm’s 20+ years of dedicated trial experience mean we approach every hearing as a crucial battle for your freedom and your future.

If you have been arrested for DUI, you are running out of time. Call (425) 321-3487 or reach us online for a free case evaluation.